Match box dispenser



June 26, 1956 M. P. NEWELL. 2,752,034

MATCH BOX DISPENSER Filed Feb. 28 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

my nefl ewelfi BY Z? mu M1 June 26, 1956 M. P. NEWELL.

MATCH BOX DISPENSER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 28 1951 nited States Patent (3 MATCH BOX DISPENSER Mary Phyne Newell, St. Louis, Mo.

Application February 28, 1951, Serial No. 213,192

5 Claims. (Cl. 206-31) This invention relates to match dispensers and match boxes adapted for use as match dispensers, and particularly to a dispenser which can be made from the commercially available commonly used match box for household matches.

Such matches are available on the market in boxes which comprise an open ended slide-on cover, an open top tray containing the matches positioned parallel to the width of the tray and a retaining insert strip placed across and on top of the matches to retain the matches therein.

The primary object of the present invention is the utilization of these three component parts of the standard commercial match box, namely, the open ended slide-on cover, the open top tray and the retaining insert strip, for the purpose of converting the normal commercial match box into a match dispenser.

Previous attempts have been made to provide a match box convertible into a match dispenser, but such previous attempts have not been practical to manufacture mainly because of the prohibitive expense involved in the necessary radical changes in the processing machinery used to manufacture the commonly used match boxes, which process entails a series of automatic operations which not only includes such as printing, waxing, scoring, cutting, folding, gluing, sanding, but also such operations as filling the tray with matches, depositing the insert strip into the tray and sliding on the cover, so that the match box is discharged from the machinery as a finished product.

In order to dispense matches, a dispensing device in the form of an extra container is usually provided to avoid the necessity of continual movement of the tray within the cover to aiford access to the matches. When a dispensing device is used, the slide-on cover and insert strip, both of which contain the customary commercial advertising, etc. thereon, are discarded and the tray of matches alone is retained for use within the dispensing device.

Accordingly, the additional objects of the present invention are:

T 0 provide a match box which is formed and produced by automatic machinery and which, thereafter, can be converted into a match dispenser.

To provide a match dispenser which is constructed solely from the three component parts of the regular commercial match box, namely, the open ended slide-on cover, the open top tray and the retaining insert strip.

To provide a match dispenser which is decorative and functional and which retains, in addition to the tray, the parts thereof to which advertising, identity of the company and of the product are usually afiixed, namely, the slide-on cover and the insert strip.

To provide a match box which, upon assembly, utilizes all three parts of the original standard box for continual use as a dispenser until the contents thereof is exhausted.

To provide a match dispenser which is so economical that it is replaceable with each match box used. 7

To provide the means of a match dispenser with each purchase of a match box. i

To eliminate the use of a separate dispensing device in order to have matches continually and easily dispensed and accessible.

So that the components of the commercial match box can be converted for use as a dispenser, certain delineations are provided on the lower front portion of the cover in the form of an opening and certain delineations are provided on the strip in the form of a trough-like member.

These certain delineations may include perforation of the particular parts of the delineations on the cover and insert strip which require opening, or these particular parts of the delineations may be cut open by the individual user.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 shows the commercially available assembled match box.

Fig. 2 shows the match tray with the slide-on cover removed and the insert strip as commonly used for retaining matches in the tray.

Fig. 3 shows the left hand end of the insert strip.

Fig. 4 shows a right angle notch provided in the left hand end of the insert strip, which notch is formed by the removal of the material at the edges thereof and defined by the intersecting lines.

Fig. 5 shows the insert strip converted into a trough.

Fig. 6 is a view of the slide-on cover with the opening formed in the lower front portion thereof for reception of the trough.

Fig. 7 is a side view showing a side of the trough inserted between the side wall of the slide-on cover and the side wall of the tray.

Fig. 8 shows a detailed assembly of the match box as a dispenser.

Fig. 9 is a rear view of the assembled dispenser showing the top and bottom guide lines to facilitate hanging of the dispenser and holes thereon, of a type when perforated, for securing it to a wall, or the like.

Fig. 10 shows the match box converted into a match dispenser as used.

The delineations or score lines provided on the cover are:

A curved line 24A, parallel to the shorter side of the front of the cover when box is positioned vertically, is provided on the lower front portion thereof, and a fold line 26, spaced inwardly from adjacent lower edge of the cover and in parallel relation with and spaced from and below the curved line 24A, is provided. Lines 248 and 24C are provided along the side edges of the lower front portion of the cover, extending between and joining the extremities of the curved line 24A and the fold line 26. Thus it will be noted that a portion 25 of the cover 12 can be formed from the lower front portion thereof by being detached along lines 24A, 24B and 24C. In this manner, portion 25 can be bent inwardly along the fold line 26 so as to provide an opening 28, as shown in Fig. 7.

The delineations or score lines provided on the insert strip are shown in Figs. 3 to 5 inclusive and are as follows:

A pair of fold lines 228 and 22C, parallel with the shorter side of the insert strip, are provided spaced inwardly and equal distances from the ends of the strip 13 to form, when in folded relationship, a trough 19 having a front 23 and two sides 18, as shown in Fig. 5. Extending lengthwise between the fold lines 228 and 22C, is a fold line 22A, spaced inwardly from one edge parallel to the length of the strip 13. A pair of score lines 16 are provided aligned with the pair of fold lines 22B and 22C so as to provide a separately extending base 17 of the trough 19, when lines 16 are opened and portion 17 is folded on line 22A. At each end of the trough 19, outwardly spaced from the fold lines 225 and 22C, a pair of lines 14 intersecting at a right angle are provided. Lines 14 intersect at a right angle so as to provide a notch in each side 13 of the trough 19, when the material defined by the outer edges of the strip and the intersecting lines is removed. Right angle notches thus formed are the means by which the sides 18 of the trough are retained in position in the cover opening 28 and provide the outwardly projecting position of the trough. Medially of the fold line 22A, there is provided a portion 21 which extends toward the edge of the strip 13adjacent to and parallel with the fold line 22A. This portion 21 is provided to form, when opened, a separately extending center tab. When perforated, this tab is defined by line 20; when it is formed by the individual user, it extends to the adjacent edge.

By the foregoing description of the fold lines and the lines to be opened on the cover 12 and the strip 13, it will be noted that each of these two components can be formed for their respective uses, namely, a cover with an opening in the lower front portion thereof and a trough for insertion therein. 7

So that the component parts may be converted for use as a dispenser, the cover 12 and the strip 13 are removed 7 from the tray.

To convert the cover 12 for reception of the trough, the lower front portion of the cover along the lines 24A, 24B and 24C is opened so as to form position 25, which is then folded inwardly 011 line 26 to provide opening 28.

To convert the strip 13 for use as a trough, lines 16 are opened to allow base 17 to be formed and intersecting 'lines 14 are opened to form right angle notches in the sides 18. The strip 13 is then folded on lines 22A, 22B and 22C so as to provide a front 23, two sides 18 and a base 17 of a trough 19. The center tab 21 is then opened and bent outwardly distinct from the plane of the front 23 and the base 17.

Both the cover 12 with its opening 28 and the strip 13 converted into a trough 19 are then ready to be used with the tray for assembling the dispenser. While the above-mentioned directions need not be strictly followed in the sequence set forth, it is obvious that the arrangements be made.

To assemble the components as a dispenser, the trough is inserted into the opening 28 of the cover 12 with the tab 21 positioned to abut the lower front portion of the cover below the fold line 26, the base 17 aligned with the inwardly extending portion 25, the notches positioned to abut the upper corners of the opening 28, the inwardly extending portions of sides 18 disposed behind the front wall of the cover 12, and the sides 18 aligned with the side walls of the cover 12.

After the trough 19 has been assembled with the cover 12, the match filled tray 11, using either end first, is then inserted into the cover 12 so that the inwardly extending portions of sides 18 of the trough 19 are positioned between the side walls of the tray 11 and the side walls of the cover 12, and so that the base 17 of the trough 19 is secured between the tray 11 and the portion 25; whereupon the trough 19 is locked in position with respect to the cover 12 and the one end of the tray 11 becomes the bottom of the assembled dispenser.

A pair of small circle-like delineations, spaced lengthwise on the back of the cover 12 and positioned medially of the sides thereof, are provided. These small circle-like score lines or delineations may be perforated and provided on the cover 12 as shown in Fig. 9, or they may be provided as ordinary small circles which are scored. These delineations are positioned on the cover so as to provide the means of openings for securing the assembled dispenser to a wall or like member in a manner that allows the abrasive strip, usually provided on the side of a match box, to be used to strike a match Without the dispenser swerving to one side.

There is also provided guide lines 41 and 42 extending through the horizontal diameter of the pair of small circle-like delineations on the back of the cover 12 and extending partly around the side thereof. These guide lines enable the ascertaining of the given distance apart the nails or the like are to be placed so that they can be properly spaced to correspond with the circle-like delineations on the back of the cover. The guide lines also enable placing of the assembled dispenser upon the nails or the like by the user observing from a side view of the assembled dispenser the relationship of the guide lines to the nails or the like.

To hang the assembled dispenser, it is placed against the wall or like member to determine the given spacing of the pair of nails or the like. When the small circle-in delineations on the back of the cover are perforated, the assembled dispenser is pressed against the securing means to open the perforated delineations and, at the same time, to hang it.

When the individual user is to form the openings for hanging of the dispenser, ordinary small circle delineations are provided on the back of the cover, and these circles are first punched open and then the assembled dispenser is hung. I

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that manymodifications of the basic concept of my invention could be made. Such modifications are to be considered to be included within the scope of the claims of my disclosed invention, which is in no way to be restricted by the various illustrative figures.

This invention applies principally to the convertibility of the standard match box into a match dispenser. However, it is also adapted for converting into a dispenser any other box having like or similar component parts thereof, whether used for dispensing of matches or used otherwise.

The claims appended hereto are to be considered as including any means, procedure, or method by which the delineations are provided and/or applied, and the claims are to be further construed as including whatever means is employed, or provision is made to open, or enable opening, those particular parts of the delineations which require opening in order to form and assemble the components of the box into a dispenser.

Having described my invention in detail, I claim:

1. A match box convertible into a match dispenser comprising an open ended slide-on cover, an open top tray and a match retaining strip adapted to form a trough, said cover having a portion of the lower front thereof bent inwardly leaving an aperture in said cover, said inwardly bent portion being hinged to the lower edge of said aperture, a trough inserted in said aperture with the front portion of the trough extending outwardly from the lower edge of the aperture, opening at an angle from the front of the cover to form an upwardly disposed opening, the sides of the trough extending normal to the front of the trough and provided with right angle scored notchesto engage the upper corners of the cover aperture, said notches determining the outwardly projecting position of the trough, the inwardly positioned portions of the sides of the trough extending upwardly behind the front wall of the cover and positioned rearwardly adjacent to the side walls thereof and being secured between said side walls and the side walls of said tray, the base of the trough extending inwardly adjacent the inwardly bent portion of the cover and being secured between the tray and said inwardly bent portion of the cover, a center tab in the base of the trough positioned to extend outwardlyadjacent the lower front portion of the cover and below thelower edge of thecover opening, said tray positionedinthe cover inwardly and adjacent the end portions of the sides of the trough within the cover with the lower open portionof the open top tray facing the outwardly disposed opening formed by the trough to form the bottom of the assembled dispenser at the end of the tray, a pair of small circled score-lines faced lengthwise on the back of the open ended cover and intermediate sides thereof and the tops and bottoms thereof, said score lines forming openings for securing the assembled dispenser to a wall support, and a pair of scored guide lines for guiding the placement of the securing means.

2. A match box convertible into a match dispenser comprising an open ended slide-on cover, an open top tray the end of which forms the bottom of the assembled dispenser, and a match retaining insert strip adapted to form a trough, said cover provided on its lower front portion with a curved scored line transverse to the long dimension at the front of the cover and a scored fold line spaced inwardly from the adjacent lower edge of the cover substantially parallel to and below said curved scored line, a pair of scored edge lines along the length of said cover between said curved scored line and said fold scored line, said pair of lines positioned along the sides of said lower front portion of the cover all of said lines to define a portion for opening inwardly, said match retaining insert strip provided with a pair of fold scored lines transverse to the length thereof and spaced inwardly at substantially equal distances from the ends of the strip to define the width of the tray in assembled position, two pairs of intersecting scored lines the lines of each pair at right angles to each other and spaced outwardly from said transverse fold scored lines defining notches at opposite ends of said strip and an additional fold scored line on said strip extending lengthwise between the transverse pairs of fold scored lines to define the up-turned edges of the trough in assembled relation, a second additional pair of scored lines in alignment with the last-named transverse fold scored lines extending between the lengthwise fold scored line and one edge of said strip to define a base trough and a scored tab portion medial to the last-named lengthwise fold scored line and extending towards the edge of the strip adjacent the .1

last-named lengthwise fold scored line, said center tab provided with a scored knock-out portion for securing trough in position in the aperture of the cover, the back of the open ended cover provided with circled scored knockout portions for securing the assembled match dispenser to a wall support.

3. A match box convertible into a match dispenser comprising an open ended slide-on cover, an open top tray the end of which forms the bottom of the assembled dispenser, and a match retaining insert strip adapted to form a trough, said cover provided on its lower front portion with a curved scored line transverse to the long dimension at the front of the cover and a scored fold line spaced inwardly from the adjacent lower edge of the cover substantially parallel to and below said curved scored line, a pair of scored edge lines along the length of said cover between said curved scored line and said fold scored line, said pair of lines positioned along the sides of said lower front portion of the cover, all of said lines to define a portion for opening inwardly, said match retaining insert strip provided with a pair of fold scored lines transverse to the length thereof and spaced inwardly at substantially equal distances from the ends of the strip to define the width of the tray in assembled position, two pairs of intersecting scored lines the lines of each pair at right angles to each other and spaced outwardly from said transverse fold scored lines defining notches at opposite ends of said strip and an additional fold scored line on said strip extending lengthwise between the transverse pair of fold scored lines to define the up-turued edges of the trough in assembled relation, a second additional pair of scored lines in alignment with the last-named transverse fold scored lines extending between the lengthwise fold scored line and one edge of said strip to define a base trough and a scored tab portion medial to the last-named lengthwise fold scored line and extending towards the edge of the strip adjacent the last named lengthwise fold scored line, said center tab provided with a scored knock-out portion for securing trough in position in the aperture of the cover and means for securing said open ended cover to a wall support.

4. A match box convertible into a match dispenser comprising an open ended slide-on cover, an open top tray and a match retaining strip adapted to form a trough, said cover having a portion of the lower front thereof bent inwardly leaving an aperture in said cover, said inwardiy bent portion being hinged to the lower edge of said aperture, a trough inserted in said aperture with the front portion of the trough extending outwardly from the lower edge of the aperture, opening at an angle from the front of the cover to form an upwardly disposed opening, the sides of the trough extending normal to the front of the trough and provided with right angle scored notches to engage the upper corners of the cover aperture, said notches determining the outwardly projecting position of the trough, the inwardly positioned portions of the sides of the trough extending upwardly behind the front wall of the cover and positioned rearwardly adjacent to the side walls thereof and being secured between said side walls and the side walls of said tray, the base of the trough extending inwardly adjacent the inwardly bent portion of the cover and being secured between the tray and said inwardly bent portion of the cover, said tray positioned in the cover inwardly and adjacent the end portions of the sides of the trough within the cover with the lower open portion of the open top tray facing the outwardly disposed opening formed by the trough to form the bottom of the assembled dispenser at the end of the tray, a pair of small circled score lines faced lengthwise on the back of the open ended cover and intermediate sides thereof and the tops and bottoms thereof, said score lines forming openings for securing the assembled dispenser to a wall support, and a pair of scored guide lines for guiding the placement of the securing means.

5. A match box convertible into a match dispenser comprising an open ended slide-on cover, an open top tray the end of which forms the bottom of the assembled dispenser, and a match retaining insert strip adapted to form a trough, said cover provided on its lower front portion with a curved scored line transverse to the long dimension at the front of the cover and at least one scored fold line spaced inwardly from the adjacent lower edge of the cover substantially parallel to and below said curved scored line, a pair of scored edge lines along the length of said cover between said curved scored line and said fold scored line, said pair of lines positioned along the sides of said lower front portion of the cover, all of said lines to define a portion for opening inwardly, said match retaining insert strip provided with a pair of fold scored lines transverse to the length thereof and spaced inwardly at substantially equal distances from the ends of the strip to define the width of the tray in assembled position, pairs of intersecting scored lines each pair spaced outwardly from said transverse fold scored lines defining angles at opposite ends of said strip and an additional fold scored line on said strip extending lengthwise between the transverse pair of fold scored lines to define the up-turned edges of the trough in assembled relation, pairs of scored lines extending beyond the last-named transverse fold scored lines to define a base trough, a pair of small circled score lines faced lengthwise on the back of the open ended cover and intermediate sides thereof and the tops and bottoms thereof, said score lines forming openings for securing the assembled dispenser to a Wall support, and a pair of scored guide lines for guiding the placement of the securing means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 878,059 Hamill Feb. 4, 1908 1,173,645 Blount Feb. 29, 1916 1,584,288 Hammergren May 11, 1926 2,036,109 Trangas Mar. 31, 1936 2,342,968 Peurrung Feb. 29, 1944 2,557,290 Houldsworth June 19, 1951 2,595,202 Pardee Apr. 29, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 467,317 Germany Oct. 22, 1928 

